Application Process for Primary Care Fund 2013/2014

The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing has released information on the application process for the Primary Care Fund 2013/2014.  The goal of the Primary Care Fund is to support community clinics and primary care providers by awarding funding based on the number of medically indigent patients the provider serves.  Please note all clinics will need to apply for Fiscal Year 2013-14 funding.  Applications for the dissemination for funds from the Primary Care Fund are processed once a year.  Click here for more information.  [Source: Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing]

Application for Benefits Daunting

"According to an article in BenefitsPro, applying for benefits under President Barack Obama's healthcare overhaul could be as daunting as doing your taxes.  The draft of the application was released, and it runs 15 pages for a family of three.  Families USA Executive Director, Ron Pollack, expressed concern for the uninsured; he said they may be overwhelmed with the process and simply give up.  The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) estimates it will receive more than 4.3 million applications for financial assistance in 2014, with online applications accounting for about 80 percent of them.  Because families can apply together, the government estimates 16 million people will be served.

Read the full article here, which includes a list of pros and cons for how the reform is shaping up."  [Source: Colorado Rural Health Center]

Provide COHBE with feedback on the single streamlined application

Today the Merged Advisory Group Meeting discussed the application for financial assistance and affordability programs (single streamlined application).  Click here to view the agenda, presentation, and Online Federal SSAp Guidance.  If you are interested in providing feedback, please e-mailto Kyla Hoskins, Policy Analyst at COHBE, by Friday.

Apply for the Colorado Health Service Corps

Certain health professionals may be eligible to receive repayment of qualified student loans if they practice full time, in a Health Professional Shortage Area, delivering primary health care services, in a public or nonprofit clinic. The practice must accept public insurance and offer discounted services to low-income, uninsured patients. Nontaxable awards may be made up to $35,000 for physicians and dentists; up to $20,000 for physician assistants, advanced practice nurses and mental health providers; and up to $7,500 for dental hygienists for each year of service. Certain physicians who work for a federally qualified health center, rural health clinic, community clinic or are a graduate of the Rose or Swedish Family Medicine Residency programs may be eligible for awards of up to $50,000 per year. All contracts are for three years, though the program’s goal is to facilitate long-term retention in an underserved Colorado community far beyond a service obligation.

The Colorado Health Service Corps provider application opens September 1, 2012 and closes September 30, 2012.  Read more. (Source: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment)